[WINDSOR, NS] - Prior to the Destination Southwest Nova Association (DSWNA) voting to dissolve the organization, West Hants council examined their request for funding.

In a letter dated March 3, the chair of the association, Ken Langille, requested a municipal investment of $4,346. The letter stated the funding would “contribute to even stronger marketing and promotion of all tourism enterprises within your municipal unit.”

Of the 28 municipal units DSWNA requested funding from, West Hants' amount was the sixth highest, with the Municipality of the County of Kings being asked to contribute the lion's share — $16,642. Each town on the list was asked to spare $1,000.

DSWNA voted to begin the wind-down process, due to a significant debt load and no money in the bank, on March 12.

It was noted at the March 11 council meeting that West Hants has not supported the tourism organization in a number of years.

Councillor Shirley Pineo spoke in opposition of providing funding for 2014-15. She indicated a few years ago, businesses approached council to let them know the association was not beneficial. She noted West Hants is located at the tail end of what was formerly called the Evangeline Trail system and the start of the former Glooscap Trail. As such, they were often left out of tourism initiatives.

“We just seemed to be in a position where none of them were doing anything for us,” said Pineo. “We weren't getting the advertisement for this area, we weren't getting the proper maps, our businesses were not being listed in there. We were getting a fair amount of complaints saying that this was of no use to the businesses of West Hants.”

After Pineo's comments, council opted not to make any commitment to funding DSWNA's request.